So what's with 365 Days of art?
It's all about art inspiration and a love of creating. Have a go with me or just sit back and be inspired. This week I show you not one but two How-Tos. A gorgeous space watercolour with a funky quote, and simple colourful flowers. I also dive into the waves with an illustration all about the fun of the sea, and lots more.
I'm taking my tasks from the fabulous artist and art author Lorna Scobie.
I also have one of those Instagram thingymajiggy. If you like what I do, then head on over and give us a like, you'll never miss out that way.
Day 61
Task; Calligraphy Practice
Want to display your beautiful words with all the gorgeous sass they deserve? Or just fill your home with phrases you love? Well come on down folks to the Greatest Show on Earth*.
*Not the actual Greatest Show on Earth, that was just hyperbole, I thought I'd join the most popular club in the world today, 'Being Hyperbolic' (Also hyperbole)
Step 1
Pencils up!
Mark out the words in pencil before anything or you could free-hand it like a fudging renegade hero. Just don't blame me when you're having to cram your last word onto the page like an Etonian with pork.
Step 2
Get some Art Masking fluid, (click the link for that sweet info). The link is NOT money-making, I do this for the love.
Lightly 'paint' over the words. You're creating a seal over the words so when we go boo-loo with watercolours the words underneath stay nice and dry.
Tip; Use a grubby old paint brush, the one your kid got off a magazine front or pocketed from school, just something you don't mind throwing away. Masking fluid is the pigeon of the art world, it will crap on every brush you love.
Step 3
Wet your page.
Not in a gross way, by spitting but with love and water.
Get watercolours and go to town. (A navy blue works here)
I've gone with a space theme because that best suited the quote, but also space is awesome.
Keep a light hand, the paint will do a lot of the work for you. Like N.E.R.D says, It wants to move. Just keep adding, the paper can take it. Any mistakes get the loo roll out and dab. I mixed navy blue with purple and a touch of teal. Think galaxies, nebulas, space dust. Space is crammed with colour.
Tip; Darker edges will draw the eye into the center of the painting.
Step 4
So let the painting dry.
Get some white acrylic paint and water it down. Dig out a big-arse brush and be brave. Flicking white paint at your picture is terrifying the first time you do it, but nothing beats it for making stars.
Let it dry again and then rub off the masking fluid, be gentle.
Then Boom! One gorgeous quote to boss Instagram with.
Day 62
Task; Colour in the waves
A watercolour and ink creation, is there anything else? I doodled the little people swimming, separately. So that that I could fit them in amongst the waves. I like the way they peek out. Interested in pool paintings? Here's a fabulous article, all about it.
Day 63
Task: Textures Baby!
I've always been wary of the old oil pastels. But this was fun, the oil pastels invite speed and chaos, and that translates into energy. Something I know I could do with a shot of.
Day 64
Task: Create some colourful flowers
Simple and sweet. watercolours, with colouring pencils for the details. Simple and sweet, what more could you ask for?
Day 65
Task: More Calligraphy...
Not so simple and sweet. Calligraphy with a real arse calligraphy pen, nib and all is like a flat earther... a fucking challenge to get coherent words out of them. But I persisted and here it is. A quote from my debut book.
Violence rarely inches up from miles away, asks for an appointment that best suits you. It hides in the blind spots of our lives.
That's it folks
... Join me next week when I explore self-love, calming colours and experimental art textures.
But if you can't wait, here is where it all began Week 1.
